The veterinarian warned about the danger of feeding pets food from the table

The habit of feeding dogs and cats food from the table can lead to serious diseases, including pancreatitis, diabetes and obesity, as well as provoke behavioral problems. Elena Frolenko, a veterinarian and expert at the Superpet feed manufacturer, warned about this in an interview with Izvestia on January 28.

According to the expert, the physiology of domestic predators, despite thousands of years of living together with humans, remains focused on digesting raw animal food. The high acidity of the stomach helps them digest meat and bones, but makes them less adapted to complex carbohydrates, starches and fiber, which are rich in human food. In addition, dogs and especially cats are unable to efficiently process lactose, sugar, spices and many vegetable oils.

"Even small portions of food "from the table" create a biochemical overload for the animal's body and can have long-term consequences. Among them are pancreatitis, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, diabetes mellitus, allergies, skin diseases, liver and kidney problems, as well as obesity. Excess weight, the most obvious consequence, puts strain on the joints, heart and internal organs, shortening the pet's life expectancy," Frolenko warned.

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The veterinarian also drew attention to the behavioral risks. Feeding creates dependence in animals, turning them into obsessive beggars who can molest guests, whine or show aggression, especially towards children, perceiving food as a valuable resource. In addition, pets begin to abandon the main food, which leads to an unbalanced diet and a lack of essential substances.

To remedy the situation, Frolenko recommends that all family members stop feeding completely. During a meal, you should not react to the animal — do not look at it and do not drive it away. You can temporarily isolate your pet in another room. It is important to introduce a clear diet, feed at the same time and clean the bowl after eating, restoring food discipline.

"If you want to pamper an animal, you can do it safely: give it raw offal (heart, liver), sometimes quail eggs or boneless sea fish. Dogs are sometimes allowed to add pumpkin, zucchini or broccoli to their diet as a source of fiber, as well as natural treats such as dried meat or cartilage," the specialist suggested.

When choosing a ready-made food, the expert advises paying attention to the composition: the product should consist of 100% meat or offal, without glycerin, flavor enhancers, sugar, flour, grains and preservatives, and it is better if it is produced according to human-grade standards, that is, from ingredients suitable for human consumption.

On January 14, Vladimir Golubev, President of the Russian Cynological Federation, in an interview with Izvestia, dispelled the widespread myth that wool always reliably protects an animal from the cold. He named the symptoms of frostbite in the pet. At the initial stage of hypothermia, the dog begins to tremble, it tucks its paws, and the ears and pads of its paws get cold.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.